The Tanzania Dairy Genetics Project aims to identify suitable dairy cattle genotypes for smallholder farmers in Rungwe and Lushoto, addressing the lack of genetic strategies in existing dairy improvement programs. The project will utilize emerging technologies to evaluate breed composition, performance, and farmer needs through participatory approaches and longitudinal surveys. Key activities include data collection on reproductive performance, milk yield, and health, alongside capacity development through student involvement in various analytical and programming tasks.

1. Tanzania dairy genetics
project:
Identifying appropriate
germplasm for
smallholder dairy farmers
Dennis Mujibi (ILRI)
Inception workshop
of the AgriTT project:
Evaluation of breed
composition,
productivity and
fitness for
smallholder dairy
cattle in Tanzania,
Dar es Salaam,
10-11 June 2014

2. Problem Statement
 Several past & current dairy improvement
programs have an integrated approach (i.e.
Market development - MoreMilkIT; improving
management and Feeding - EADD)
 There is often no genetic strategy
Most farmers want high producing animals thus
continuously upgrade to higher exotic levels even
where it is undesirable to do so.

3. Problem Statement
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Yield(Ltr)
Breed Types
Average Test Day Milk Production in
Major breeds
YIELD
0
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
Harsh Poor Good
Production environment
Yield(l)
Indigenous
X-bred
Exotic
Ideal: Designer genetics fit to specific smallholder production systems

4. Objectives
 Characterization of current
dairy cattle genotypes in use
& the determination of the
most appropriate genotypes
for smallholder dairy farmers
in Rungwe and Lushoto
 Understanding of what dairy
technologies are most
desired (lacking) by
smallholder dairy farmers in
Rungwe and Lushoto

5. Approach
Apply emerging NGS technologies to
determine breed composition of dairy
animals
Correlate breed-type with
performance data obtained through
participatory appraisal, in-situ
Listen to farmers…continuously and
incorporate their concerns and views
in design of on-going interventions

6. Project Study Sites
 Selection Criteria
On-going ‘Maziwa
Zaidi’ Activities
Emerging Dairy
industries with high
potential
Range of breed
types

7. Data requirements
 Reproductive Performance
 Breeding and Bull use pattern
 Bio-samples and genotyping
 Survival and mortality data
 Milk yield, Sanitation and Quality data
 Animal health/infertility data
 Cost benefit analysis/Productivity Analysis
 Dairy technology gaps and knowledge
systems

8. Activities
 Tissue and hair sampling: to be carried out during
ear tagging
 Longitudinal survey: Visit farmers every 2 months
for 1 year
 Performance recording: To be completed by
farmer and enumerator during longitudinal study
 Focus group discussion: At least 2 focus group
discussions
 ICT technologies to record farmer Knowledge,
views and concerns

9. Data flow and processing
Phenotypic data on
animals from
project farms
Genomic data on
animals from project
farmsConnectivity via web
and application
platforms
Feedback to support
management decisions
Individua
l
farmers
Relation
al
Databas
e
Computin
g Server
Data capture,
visualization and
feedback platform*
Analytical
platform*

10. Capacity Development
 Genetic diversity studies*
 Cost benefit analysis*
 Performance evaluation – 2 students
 Programming: development of decision
support and data visualization tools – 1
student
 Programming: development of data collection
and farmer feedback systems – 1 student
 Relational database development – 1 student
 Analytical platform development – 2 students

11. Performance recording is key to identification of appropriate genotypes
Field Activities
D
G
E
A

12. Animal Selection/Feedback
 Cow Selection
In-calf or calved down within the last 3 months
Breed diversity
Minimal relationship between cows
 At least 2 focus group discussions to provide
feedback
(Possible) Provision of extension materials on
specific topics through Audio